A mini tour of the west country (UK) in September 2025.
Our first gig was at Dreamers Folk, near Redruth in Cornwall. That is a long way from East Sussex! About 320 miles. That’s about as far from us as Cologne, Dijon, Rosslare, Newcastle or the Isle of Man. We split the journey with a stop over with some friends in Exeter so arrived nicely refreshed. After playing a gig to a lovely audience (one of whom sang in Cornish which was a privilege to hear), we stayed the night at the most beautiful, remote little converted croft. The owners, Michael and Sue, used to do BandB and Self catering in the house and croft then stopped during lockdown but volunteered to put us up. When they dropped us back after the gig (a lift too!) we stood outside gazing up at the stars and the milky way in the dark skies. Awesome.
The next morning we headed as far south as we possibly could to visit Lizard Point. What a spectacular place! The sun was shining and it was warm with a faint breeze so the sea was a beautiful blue and waves seemed to be delicately lapping at the rocks. It was hard to imagine the storms and crashing seas which have caused so may wrecks on the jagged rocks.
The next gig was at Wimborne Minster in Dorset, about 3 hours drive from the Lizard. We stopped on route to have a quick sandwich near a forest in Bodmin and watched a couple of birds of prey swooping around eachother. Having signed up for the daily Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Bird Of Prey Identification emails, we managed to identify them (we think!) as goshawks. Very exciting!
We’d played at Wimborne Minster back in June for the Folk Festival but the gig at Brunny Folk was postponed until September. The music nights are held in Cafe at the Allendale and on Mondays feature 3 or four floor spots and the headline act. We got everyone singing along to Judge, Jury and Executioner and managed to chat briefly with some of the other acts before heading home. Despite the A31 and A27 overnight road closures and lengthy diversions, we were tucked up in our own beds before 2am.
Lizard lighthouse
The old lifeboat launch
Jim at Lizard Point
Lizard Point, Cornwall
Jim and Jo at The Croft, near Dreamers Folk
The Croft
Brunny, Sept 2025. Thanks to Karen.
